Rotary valve for engines.



w. w. VANCE. ROTARY VALVE FOR ENGINES.

APPLICATION FILED NOV.19, $9M.

Patented June 5, 1917.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

1N! NORRIS r-zrsns Cl.FNOTU-LVYHO..WASNINCION, o c.

W. W. VANCE.

ROTARY VALVE FOR memes.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 19. 1914. 1,228,502, Patented June 5, 1917.

4 SHEETS-SHEET a,

W. W. VANCE.

ROTARY VALVE FOR ENGINES.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 19, 1914.

Patented June 5, 1917-.

4 SHEETS-SHEETA.

WILLIAM W. VANCE, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

ROTARY VALVE FOR ENGINES.

T 0 all whom ii may concern:

Be it known that I, :l/VILLIAM WV. VANCE, a citizen of the UnitedStates, and a resident of'thecityof Chicago, county of Cook, and Stateof Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in RotaryValves for Engines, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in rotary valve mechanism forengines, especially of the compressed fluid type, and particularly steamengines.

The object of my invention is the production of valve mechanism forcontrolling the inlet and exhaust of an engine cylinder, which may bereadily adjusted at the will of the operator in order to secure early orlate cnt0ff, as maybe desired by the operator.

A further object is the production of valve mechanism which will be ofimproved construetion and efficient in operation.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

The invention consists in the combinations and arrangements of scribedand claimed.

The invention will'bebest understood by reference to the accompanyingdrawings forming a part of this specification, and in which, i

Figure I is a front elevation of a steam engine equipped with valvemechanism embodying my invention,

Fig. 2 is a partially sectional rear elevation of the engine, i

3 is a side elevation thereof,

Fig. 4 is an enlarged section taken. on substantially line l-4 of Fig.2,

Figs. 5, 6 and 7 are detail sections taken on lines 55,,66 and 7-7respectively of Fig. i,

Fig. 8 is a detail section taken on line 8-8 of Fig. 4. looking in thedirection of arrows co, and 1 Fi 9 is a detail section taken on line 8-8of l ig. 4., looking in the direction of arrows 5-7). p

The preferred form of construction, as illustrated in the drawings isshown in connection with a steam engine which consists of a plurality ofradially disposed cylinders. Said cylinders are arranged in pairs, eachparts hereinafter de- Specification of Letters Patent.

pair comprising a high pressure cylinder 10 and a low pressure cylinder11 which are cast 'en 6200; The inner ends of the cylinders 10 and'llare secured. tothe crank cas- --1ng 12 in which is rotatably mountedacentrally positioned crank shaft 13. Said crank shaft is formed with twooppositely disposed cranks l t and 15, the former being in the planeofhigh pressure cylinders 10, and the latter in the plane of lowpressure cylinders 1.1. The crank l-i is connected by means of pistonrods 16 with pistons 17 which are mounted for reciprocation inhighpressure cylinders 10. The crank 15 is correspondingly operativelyconnected through the medium of piston rods 18 withpistons (not shown)operating in low pressure cylinders 11, as will be readily understood.Communicating with the outer end of each of the high pressure cylinders10 is an inlet and outlet passage 19, as clearly shown in Fig.

2, and communicating with the outer end of each of the low pressurecylinders 11 is an inlet and outlet passage 20, best shown in Figs. 4.-and 6.

Cooperating with. the passages 19 and 20 of each pair of cylinders 10and 11 is a valve mechanism designed to control the inlet and outlet ofsaid cylinders. Said valve mechanism comprisesa housing 21 rigidlysecured to the cylinders 10 and 11 atone side thereof, said housingbeing provided with ports 22 and 23'wl1ich communicate with the passages19 and 20 respectively, as clearly shown inf and 6, and inlet andexhaust ports 24% and 25, the former being adapted for connection withany suitable source of steam or motive fluid supply, and thelatter beingin open communication with an exhaust passage 26 formed in the side ofcylinder 11, as clearly shown in Fig. &. Rotatably mounted in thehousing 21ers two concentric valve members 27xand 28 arranged one withinthe other, the former being simply an elongated'cylinder, and the lattera cylindrical s'leeve,'the arrangement being such that while both ofsaid valve members may rotate in unison in the housing 21, rotaryshifting relatively to each other is also permitted. Said valve members27 and 28 are locked against longitudinal m ve K Patented June 5, 1917.Application filed November 19, 1814. Serial No. 872,979.

ment in housing 21, in one direction, by means of a cap 29 provided atone end of said housing, said cap engaging against the flanged end 30 ofthe valve member 27 said flanged end of said valve member 27 in turnengaging against the flanged end 31 of the valve member 28, and which inturn engages against an annular internal shoulder 32 formed in housing21, as clearly shown in Fig. 4, said shoulder serving as the means oflocking said valve members against longitudinal movement in the oppositedirection.

Formed in one side of the valve member 28 adjacent one end thereof is aport 33 which registers with a port 34 provided in the valve member 28,as clearly shown in Figs. 4 and 5. The ports 33 and 34 are adapted forregistration with the inlet or supply port 24 of housing 21, theinterior of the latter being cut away to form a channel 35 in order toobtain constant communication between said inlet or supply port and thevalve ports 33 and 34. Formed in the valve member 27 is a passage 36which leads from the port 33 to a port 37 formed in said valve memberfor registering with a port 38 which is formed in the valve member 28,both of said ports 37 and 38 being in turn positioned for registrationwith the port 22 of housing 21. Formed in the same side of valve members27 and 28 are registering ports 39 and 40 which are positioned forregistration with the housing port 23, the arrangement being such thatin the operation of the valve mechanism the ports 37 and 38, and 39 and40 will simultaneously register with housing ports 22 and 23respectively. Formed in the valve member 27 is a longitudinallyextending passage 41 leading from the port 39 which terminates at itsopposite end in a port 42 which is adapted for registration with a port43 formed in the valve member 28, said ports 42 and 43 being adapted inturn for registration with housing port 25. l/Vith this arrangementthen, it will be seen that, in the operation of the engine, intake tohigh pressure cylinder 10 will take place at the same time as lowpressure cylinder 11 is exhausting.

Also formed in the valve member 27, as clearly shown in Fig. 2, is aport 44 disposed substantially diametrically opposite the port 37, theport 44 being positioned for registration with a port 45 formed in thevalve member 28, said ports 44 and 45 being adapted, upon rotation ofsaid valve members, to register with the port 22 alternately with theports 37 and 38. Leading from the port 44 in Valve member 27 is alongitudinally extending passage 46 which establishes communicationbetween the last mentioned port and a port 47 formed in the valve member27 for registration with a port 48 formed in the valve member 28, saidports 47 and 48 being in turn positioned for registration with thehousing port 23 alternately with the ports 39 and 40, upon rotation ofsaid valve members, as clearly shown in Fig. 6. The ports 44 and 45, and47 and 48 are positioned at the same side of said valve members so as tobe adapted to simultaneously register with the ports 22 and 23, thearrangement being such that in the operation of the engine, the highpressure cylinder 10 will exhaust into the low pressure cylinder 11 whensaid ports are in registration, as just mentioned.

Rotation of the valve members 27 and 28 is eflected by means of a gear49 whichis secured to the protruding end of: the valve member 28, asuitable packing surrounding said valve member at the point of the entrythereof into housin 21 in order to prevent leakage. The valve member 28is operatively connected with the valve member 27 by means of a toggle50, one end of said toggle being pivot-ally connected with a lug 51projecting from a collar 52 which is keyed to the valve member 27, theother end of said togglebeing pivotally connected at 53 with theadjacent side of gear 49, as clearly shown in Fig. 8. The arrangement issuch, as will be seen, that said valve members are connected together ina manner to effect unisonous rotation thereof while at the same time,relative rotary shifting of the valve member 27 may be eiiected uponmovement of the knee joint of the toggle which serves apparently to drawthe ends of said toggle toward each other or to force the same from eachother. Such actuation of the knee joint of the toggle is eitected bymeans of a cam disk 54 which is loosely mounted uponthe outerend oivalve member 27, being held thereon by means of a stop collar 55. Formedin the inner side of cam disk 54 is an irregular cam groove 56 withwhich engages a roller 57 provided at the knee joint of the toggle. Withthis arrangement, it will be seen that upon rotation of gear 49, thetravel of roller 57 in cam groove 56 will cause the knee joint of thetoggle to be moved toward and from the axis of rotation, and thus securethe relative rotary shifting of the valve member 27 as above mentioned.

This relative rotary shifting of valve member 27 is utilized to move theport 37 of valve member 27 into and out of registration with the port38, said ports being out of registration when the roller 57 is in thecrest or outer portion of the cam groove 56, and in registration whensaid roller is in the inner or lower portion of said cam groove, thelatter position of said roller being shown in Fig. 9. In the operationof the engine, the intake to high pressure cylinder 10 will continue solong as port 38 is in registration with the port 22 providing the port37 is in registration with said port 38. Therefore, with the arrangementset forth, it will be seen that when a late cut-oft is desired, the port37 is permitted to remain in registration with the port 38 during theentire period that the latter is in registration with the port 22. If anearly cut-off is desired, it is only necessary to rotatably shift thevalve member 27 so as to carry the port 87 thereof out of registrationwith the port 88 before the latter has been moved out of registrationwith the housing port 22. This relative shifting of the valve member 27takes place upon each revolution of said valve members, the exact timeof shifting being dependent upon the position of the cam member 54. Byadjustment of said cam member, shifting of the valve member 27 may beadvanced or retarded, that is brought about earlier or later, as will bereadily understood. Thus, with this arrangement, it will be seen that,through rotary adjustment of the cam member 54, the port 87'may be movedout of registration with the port 38, as early or late, as desired, inorder to secure early or late cut-off of the high pressure cylinder. Theports 37 and 38 are of such proportionate widths and said valve membersand cam member are so designed, timed and adjusted, that in theoperation of the engine, the cut-off of the high pressure cylinder maybe effected as early as one-eighth of the stroke of the piston thereofor as late as three-fourths of the stroke of the piston, and withoutinterfering with the timing of the exhaust. The delayed cutoff is, ofcourse, of advantage where the engine is under heavy strain, as forinstance in hill climbing, since in the latter case, the delayedcut-ofi' prevents killing of the engine. Also, the port 38 is preferablyof such a width and so positioned relative to the stroke of thecorresponding high pressure cylinder piston, that intake of steam willoccur just before the 3 piston reaches its upper or outer terminal ofmovement. With this arrangement a small quantity of steam will beadmitted to the cylinder before the piston reaches its outer terminal ofmovement, the steam thus admitted serving as a cushion for the piston,preventing pounding and insuring evenness and steadiness in theoperation of the engine.

Each pair of cylinders of the engine is equipped with. valve mechanism,as above described, the cam membersei of the valve mechanisms of thevarious pairs of cylinders being connected by means of rods 58 with adisk 59 which is mounted for rotary adjustment upon the crank shaft 13.Said disk 59 is provided with a rocker arm 60 with which connects anoperating rod 61 which may be connected in any suitable manner formanual control by the operator of the engine, or by the driver of thevehicle in which the same is installed. With this arrangement, it willbe seen, that upon actuation of the rod 61 all of the cam members of thevalve mechanisms of the engine will be simultaneously adjust ed. Also,all of the gears 49 of the valve mechanisms are connected by means ofidler gears 62 with a common driving gear 63 which is fixed to the crankshaft 1-3, the latter thus serving as a means of driving the variousvalve mechanisms in the operation of the engine.

lVhile I have illustrated and described the preferred form ofconstruction for carrying my invention into effect, this is capable ofvariation and modification without departing from the spirit of theinvention. 1, therefore, do not wish to be limited to the precisedetails of construction set forth, but desire to avail myself of suchvariations and modifications as come within the scope of the appendedclaims.

Having described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent is:

l. The combination with two continuously rotatable relatively rotatablyshiftable valve members, of means for rotatably shifting said valvemembers relatively to each other during rotation thereof, said lastmentioned means comprising a plurality of pivotally connected linksconnecting said valve memhers; and means for tilting said links,substantially a s described.

The combination with two continuously rotatable relatively rota-tablyshifgtable valve members, of means for rotatably shifting said valvemembers relatively to each other during rotation thereof, said lastmentioned means comprising a toggle mechanism connecting said valvemembers; and means for actuating said toggle mechanism, substantially asdescribed.

3. The combination with two continuously rotatable relatively rotatablyshiftable valve members, of means for rotatably shifting said valvemembers relatively to each other during rotation thereof, said lastmentioned means comprising a toggle mechanism con necting said valvemembers; means for opcrating said toggle mechanism; and manu allycontrolled means for regulating the operation of said toggle mechanism,substantially as described.

l. The combination withtwo continuously rotatable relatively rotatablyshiftable valve members. of cam operated. means for rotatably shiftingsaid valve members relatively to each other during rotation thereof,substantially as described.

5. The combination with two continuously rotatable relatively rotatablyshiftable valve members, of means for rotatably shifting said valvemembers relatively to each other during the rotation thereof, said lastmentioned means comprising a plurality of pivotally connected linksconnecting said valve members; and a cam for actuating said links,substantially as described.

6. The combination with two continuously rotatable relatively rotatablyshiftable valve members, of means for rotatably shifting said valvemembers relatively to each other during the rotation thereof, said lastmention-ed means comprising a toggle mechanism connecting said valvemembers; and a cam engaging with the knee of said toggle mechanism foractuating the latter, substantially as described.

7. The combination with two continuously rotatable relatively rotatablyshittable valve members, of means for rotatably shitting said valvemembers relatively to each other diilring the rotation thereof, saidlast mentioned means comprising a toggle mechanism connecting said valvemembers; and an adjnstably mounted cam engaging with the knee of saidtoggle mechanism for actuating the latter, substantially as described.

The combination with two continuously rotatable relatively rotatablyshittable valve members, oft means for rotatably shifting said valvemembers relatively to each other during the rotation thereof, said lastmentioned means comprising a toggle mechanism connecting said valvemembers; and a rotatably adjustable member having an irregular camgroove engaging with the knee of said toggle mechanism lor actuating thelatter, substantially as described.

9. The ombination with two continuously rotatable relatively rotatablyshift able valve members; of means for rotatably shitting said valvemembers relatively to each other during the rotation thereof, said lastmentioned means comprising a toggle mechanism connecting said valvemembers; a cam operatively engaging with said toggle mechanism foractuating the latter, said cam being rotatably adjustable whereby theperiod of relative shifting of said valve members may be varied; andmanually opcrable means for rotatably adjusting said cam, substantiallyas described.

10. The combination with two continuously rotatable relatively rotatablyshiftable valve members; of means for rotatably shifting said valvemembers relatively to each other during the rotation thereof, said lastmentioned means comprising a toggle mechanism connecting said valvemembers; a cam operatively engaging with said toggle mechanism foractuating the latter, said cam being rotatably adjustable whereby theperiod of relative shifting of said valve members may be varied;manually operable means for rotatably adjusting said cam, said lastmentioned means comprising a rotatable member; and a link connectingsaid last mentioned member with said cam, substantially as described.

11. ,Tbe combmatlon with an engine comprising a plurality of cylinders,and a valve cooperating with each of said cylinders comprising twocontinuously rotatable relatively rotatably shiftable valve members, oflevers connecting the valve members of each of said valves for rotatablyshifting the same relatively to each other during rotation thereof;means for actuating the levers cooperating with each of said valves,said means being rotatably adjustable whereby the period of relativeshifting of the valve members of each valve may be varied; and means forsimultaneously rotatably adjusting said last mentioned means of all ofsaid valves, substantially as described.

12. The combination with an engine comprising a plurality of cylinders,and a valve cooperating with each of said cylinders comprising twocontinuously rotatable relatively rotatably shiftable valve members, ofa toggle connecting the valve members of each of said valves forrotatably shifting the same relatively to each other; means foractuating the toggle cooperating with each of said valves, said meansbeing rotatably adjustable whereby the period of relative shifting ofthe valve members of each valve by the toggle cooperating therewith maybe varied; and manually operable means for simultaneously rotatablyadjusting said last mentioned means of all of said valves, substantiallyas described.

13. The combination with an engine comprising a plurality of cylinders,and a valve cooperating with each of said cylinders comprising twocontinuously rotatable relatively rotatably shittable valve members, ofa toggle connecting the valve members of each of said valves forrotatably shifting the same relatively to each other; a cam engagingwith the knee of each toggle for actuating the latter, said cam beingrotatably adjustable whereby the period of relative shifting of thevalve members engaged by the corresponding toggle may be varied; andmanually operable means for simultaneously rotatably adjusting said camsof all of said valves, substantially as described.

l l. The combination with two continuously rotatable relativelyshiftable valve members, of means for rotatably shitting said valvemembers relatively to each other during rotation thereof, substantiallyas described.

15. A valve mechanism of the class described comprising a housing; apair of concentric valve members arranged one within the other rotatablymounted in said housing and rotatably shiftable relatively to eachother, said valve members having ports adapted for registration witheach other; and means for rotating said valve members and simultaneouslyadvancing or retarding one of said members, substantially as described.

16. Avalve mechanism of the class de scribed comprising a housing havinga port therein; a pair of concentric valve members arranged one withinthe other rotatably mounted in said housing and rotatably shittablerelatively to each other, said valve members having ports adapted forregistration with each other and with said housing port; means forsimultaneously rotating said valve members; and means for periodicallyrotatably shitting said valve members during rotation to move the portsthereof into or out of registration with each other, substantially asdescribed.

17. A valve mechanism of the class described comprising a housing havinga port therein; a pair of concentric valve members arranged one withinthe mounted in said housing and rotatably shiftable relatively to eachother, said valve members having ports adapted for registration witheach other and with said housing port; means for simultaneously rotatingsaid valve members; means i'or periodically rotatably shifting saidvalve members during rotation to move the ports thereof into or out ofregistration with each other; and means for adjusting said lastmentioned means in order to control the duration of the period in whichboth of said valve member ports will be in communication with saidhousing port, substantially as described.

18. The combination with an engine cylinder, of valve mechanism forcontrolling the passage of motive fluid to said'cylinder, said valvemechanism comprising a housing having a port communicating with theinterior of said cylinder; a pair of concentric valve members arrangedone within the other rotatably mounted in said housing and rotatablyshiftable relatively to each other, said valve members having portsadapted for registration with each other and with said housing port; apassage in the inner one of said valve members communicating with theport therein and a motive fluid supply; means for simultaneouslyrotating said valve members; and means for periodically rotatablyshifting said valve members during rotation to move the ports thereofinto and out of registration with each other, substantially asdescribed.

19. The combination with an engine cylinder, of valve mechanism forcontrolling the passage of motive fluid to said cylinder, said valvemechanism comprising a housing having a port communicating with theinterior of said cylinder; a pair of concentric valve members arrangedone within the other rotatably mounted in said housing and rotatablyshiftable relatively to each other, said valve members having portsadapted for registration with each other and with said housing port; apassage in the inner one other rotatably of said valve memberscommunicating with the port therein and a motive fluid supply; means forsimultaneously rotating said valve members; and means for periodicallyrotatably shifting the inner valve member relatively to the outer valvemember during rotation of said members to move the ports or" the latterinto and out of registration with each other, substantially asdescribed.

20. The combination with an engine cylinder, of valve mechanism forcontrolling the passage of motive fluid to said cylinder, said valvemechanism comprising a housing having a port communicating with theinterior of said cylinder; a pair of concentric valvemembers arrangedone within the other rotatably mounted in said housing and ro tatablyshiit'table relatively to each other, said valve members having portsadapted for registration with each other and with said housing port; apassage in the inner one of said valve members communicating with theport therein and a motive fluid supply; means for simultaneouslyrotating said valve members 5. means for periodically rotatably shiftingthe inner valve member relatively to the outer valve member duringrotation of said members to move the ports of the latter into and out ofregistration with each other; and means for adjusting said lastmentioned means in order to control the duration of the period in whichboth of said valve member ports will be in communication with saidhousing port, substantially as described.

21. The combination with an engine having two cylinders of valvemechanism for controlling the passage or" fluid to and from saidcylinders, said valve mechanism comprising a housing having two portseach communicating with the interior of one of said cylinders; a valvemember rotatably mounted in said housing, said valve member havin a pairof inlet and outlet ports for cooperation with each of said housingports and adapted, upon rotation of said valve member, to alternatelyregister with the corresponding housing port, the outlet port of saidvalve member cooperating with one of said cylinders and the inlet portof said valve member cooperating with the other of said cylinders beingpositioned for simultaneous rotation with the corresponding housingports; a passage in said valve member connecting said last mentionedoutlet and inlet ports, the inlet port of said valve member cooperatingwith said first mentioned cylinder and the outlet port of said valvemember cooperating with said second mentioned cylinder being positionedfor simultaneous rotation with the corresponding housing ports; a motivefluid passage in said valve member communicating with an exhaust passagein said valve member communicating with said last mentioned outlet port;a tubular valve member mounted upon sa1d first mentloned valve member,said valve members being mounted for simultaneous rotation and beingrotatably shiftable rela- 3 tively to each other, said outer valvemember of said valve members, substantially as de- 19 scribed.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in thepresence of two subscribing Witnesses.

WVILLIAM W. VANCE.

Witnesses:

JosrrUA R. H. Porrs, ARTHUR A. OLSON.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G.

